When is spanish preterite used

Beginnings and ends themselves are also talked about using the preterite. Key verbs you'll see used to talk about beginnings and ends in the past are empezar to begin , comenzar to begin , terminar to finish , and acabar to end. The preterite is used to talk about past events or actions that occurred on specific days or dates, at specific times, and during specific time periods.

Looking for information on the differences between the preterite and the imperfect? Check out this article! Learn Spanish. Sign in. Regular AR. Spelling Changes. More on Spelling Changes. Conjugation Review. Stem-Changing Verbs. More on Stem-Changing Verbs. Comprehensive Review. Ayer cocinamos paella para mi familia. Subject Ser to be Ir to go Dar to give Ver to see yo fui. Seeing Double Note that ser and ir have the exact same forms in the preterite. With some practice, this is fairly easy to remember.

Consider these examples:. Yo tocaba el piano - I used to play the piano; or, you are saying that you were playing the piano when setting the scene for a story.

Another way to look at it is that the preterite is for talking about things that happened in the past, while the imperfect is for the way things were in the past. Using the same sentences:. Yo tocaba el piano - I used to play the piano at some point in the past, but I don't anymore. When reading or listening to Spanish, you can use context clues to figure out whether a verb phrase is in the preterite or imperfect tense. Certain temporal phrases are associated with either the preterite or the imperfect.

You can also learn these phrases to help you express yourself better. One of the most efficient ways to master any Spanish grammatical concept is to practice with another person who can give you feedback and constructive criticism. Story-telling is an excellent form of practicing verb tenses. Try telling a story to your tutor or friend and having them correct you on your mistakes. Then, have them tell you a story in return, and pay attention to their choice of verb tense.

Another way you can get the hang of Spanish grammar is to watch your favorite TV shows and movies, but turn on Spanish subtitles. Pay attention to the sentences in English that are past tense, and make note of which verb tense they use in the Spanish subtitle. Other media, such as Spanish-language movies or even videos like these can solidify your Spanish skills. Practice quizzes are also enormously helpful, such as this one.

Distinguishing between the preterite and the imperfect is one of the most challenging aspects of learning Spanish, and it's also one the most important. That being said, it's not impossible. With a little know how and a lot of practice you should be able to use both with no problems.

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Learn 10 easy grammar rules that will help you learn 1, words almost instantly! Preterite vs. Irregular Preterite Verbs. Irregular Imperfect Verbs. Michelle Margaret Fajkus is a bilingual writer and longtime yoga teacher.

A former advertising copywriter turned bilingual elementary school teacher, she is now a freelance writer, editor and translator. A native Texan, Michelle has Mexican roots and learned Spanish in middle and high school.

She has become more fluent thanks to living as an expat in Guatemala. She lives with her family on beautiful Lake Atitlan.

Latest posts by Michelle Margaret Fajkus see all. Read More. How Are You? Spanish Greetings February 6, You are very helpful in making me understand the spanish language and muchas gracias. Thank you for reading!

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